[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has declared its intention to conduct intra-party elections on March 3, following a period of upheaval triggered by the loss of its iconic electoral symbol, the bat.
In the wake of its failure to secure a governmental mandate, PTI has opted to commence the process by accepting nomination papers on February 23 and 24. Subsequently, the scrutiny of candidates’ credentials will take place on February 25, with decisions regarding the validity of nomination papers expected by February 27, 2024.
Read more: PTI-Supported Candidate Tahir Iqbal Denounces Historic Election Rigging
Polling is slated to transpire at the Central Office of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf, as well as at four provincial secretariats, on March 3. The decision to hold these elections has been made following consultations with Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated since August of the preceding year.
Furthermore, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has been appointed as the chairman of the electoral process, while Raoof Hassan has been designated as the Chief Election Commissioner.
The genesis of these internal elections can be traced back to a significant ruling by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, rendered just days before the 2024 general elections. The apex court upheld the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) verdict, which deemed PTI’s internal polls as “unconstitutional” and subsequently revoked the party’s electoral symbol.
In light of this decision, PTI candidates were compelled to contest the elections as independent candidates, each under a distinct symbol, effectively severing their affiliation with the party’s traditional emblem.
This announcement underscores PTI’s commitment to democratic principles and internal accountability, as the party endeavors to regroup and navigate the challenges presented by its recent electoral setbacks. The conduct of intra-party elections signifies PTI’s resolve to uphold transparency and democratic norms within its organizational structure, notwithstanding the adversities it has encountered on the political stage.
As PTI transitions into this new phase, characterized by internal elections and a reinvigorated commitment to its foundational principles, the party aims to emerge stronger and more unified, equipped to confront the dynamic political landscape of Pakistan.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
